DAKOTA ULTRASONICS MMX-7 User manual

OPERATION MANUAL
DAKOTA ULTRASONICS
M
MM MX X- -7 7
Data Logging Thickness Gauge
P/N P-160-0002 Rev 1.10, January2008

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION.......................................................................1
CHAPTER TWO QUICK STARTUP GUIDE........................................................2
CHAPTER THREE KEYBOARD, MENU, & CONNECTOR REFERENCE.......12
CHAPTER FOUR PRINCIPALS OF ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT.............21
CHAPTER FIVE SELECTING THE MEASUREMENT MODE..........................25
CHAPTER SIX MAKING MEASUREMENTS.....................................................28
CHAPTER SEVEN USING THE DIGITS & B-SCAN DISPLAYS ......................41
CHAPTER EIGHT THRU PAINT MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE....................53
CHAPTER NINE ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF THE MMX-7...........................54
CHAPTER TEN DATA STORAGE –SETUP, EDIT, & VIEW GRIDS...............58
CHAPTER ELEVEN SETUPS –CREATE, STORE, EDIT, & RECALL............75
CHAPTER TWELVE USING THE UTILITY SOFTWARE..................................81
APPENDIX A -VELOCITY TABLE.....................................................................82
APPENDIX B -SETUP LIBRARY.......................................................................84

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The Dakota Ultrasonics model MMX-7is a digital ultrasonic thickness gauge with a
time based B-Scan andalpha numeric data logger. Based on the same operating
principles as SONAR, the MMX-7is capable of measuring the thickness of various
materials with accuracy as high as ±0.001 inches, or±0.01 millimeters. The
principle advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that
ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of the
material being measured.
Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to assist users
with questions or difficulties notcovered in this manual. Customer support may be
reached at any of the following:
•Dakota Ultrasonics Corporation,
1500 Green Hills Road, #107Scotts Valley, CA
95066 USA
•Telephone: [phone]
•Facsimile: [phone]
•www.dakotaultrasonics.com
1.1 Disclaimer
Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the instrument will
use the second rather than the first echo from the back surface of the material being
measured. This may result in a thickness reading that is TWICE what it should be.
Responsibility for proper use of the instrument and recognition of this phenomenon
rest solely with the user of the instrument.

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CHAPTER TWO
QUICK STARTUP GUIDE
Turn the MMX-7on and off using the switch located on the bottom right cornerof the
keypad. When MMX-7is initially turned on, a flash logo and blinking lights will be
displayed prior to entering into the main measurement screen. Note: This section is
primarily written as a basic startup guide only.
2.1 Selecting The Transducer Type
The first step in using theMMX-7is to select the transducer type according to
frequency and diameter. By selecting the transducer type from a predefined list, the
MMX-7can recall specific properties about the transducer. Note: Once the
transducer has been selected, theMMX-7will store and recall this transducer type
every time the MMX-7is powered on/off. The type will only change if the user
physically selects another transducer type from the list, or selects a previously saved
setup. Therefore, if you have previously gone through this section and selected the
transducer you are using, proceed to the next section. Use the following steps to
select your transducer type:
Selecting the Transducer Type
1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press theMENU
key multiple times to tab right and theESC key multiple times to tab left until
the PROBE menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
2) Use theUP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until TYPE is highlighted.

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3) Press the ENTER key to display the list of transducer types.
4) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the transducer list
until the appropriate type is highlighted.
5) Press the ENTER key to display the confirmation screen.
6) Press the OK key to select the transducer and return to the menu screen, or
ESC to cancel the selecting the transducer.
2.2 Probe Zero & Calibration
The next step is to calibrate the MMX-7to the material and transducer being used. If
the materials sound velocity is unknown, theMMX-7can be calibrated to a known
thickness sample. This demo will briefly explain both of these techniques.
In either case, the transducerMUST be zeroed on the probe zero disk (battery cover)
located on the top of the unit as follows:
Performing a Probe Zero
1) Apply a drop of couplant on the transducer and place the transducer in
steady contact with the probe zero disk, and obtain a steady reading.
2) Assuming the probe menu is still displayed from the previous type selection,
use the UP andDOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until ZERO TRANSDUCER is highlighted.
3) Press the ENTER key to display the confirmation screen.

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4) Press the OK key to complete the probe zero function, or ESC key to cancel
the probe zero function.
5) Remove the transducer from the probe zero disk, and proceed to the
calibration section.
Note: The value that is displayed will change depending on the current velocity
setting in theMMX-7. Disregard the number that is displayed. It is not
important. What is important is accurately performing the steps outlined above
to insure reliability of the probe zero calculation.
Known Velocity
If the material velocity is known, the user may wish to simply enter the velocity
number into theMMX-7, rather than have the MMX-7calculate the velocity value on
using a know thickness. The steps for entering the velocity are outlined below:
Using a Known Material Velocity
1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the MENU
key multiple times to tab right and theESC key multiple times to tab left until
the CAL menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.

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2) Use theUP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until VELOCITY is highlighted.
3) Press the ENTER key to display the Digits Edit Box.
4) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
5) Press the LEFT andRIGHT arrow keys to scroll the digit locations.
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 until the velocity number is correctly displayed.
7) Press the OK key to set the velocity and return to the menu screen, or ESC
to cancel entering the velocity.
8) Finally, press the MEAS key to return to the measurement screen and begin
taking readings.

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Known Thickness
Sometimes the sound velocity of a material is unknown. In this case a sample with a
known thickness can be used to determine the sound velocity. It would be very
handy to carry a set of mechanical calipers to use in conjunction with theMMX-7 for
calibration in the field:
Using a Known Thickness
Note: Be sure that the probe zero procedure has been performed prior to
performing this calibration procedure.
1) Physically measure an exact sample of the material or a location directly on
the material to be measured using a set of calipers or a digital micrometer.
2) Apply a drop of couplant on the transducer and place the transducer in
steady contact with the sample or actual test material. Be sure that the
reading is stable and the repeatability indicator, in the top left corner of the
display, is fully lit and stable. Press the MENU key once to activate the
menu items tab. Press theMENU key multiple times to tab right and the
ESC key multiple times to tab left until theCAL menu is highlighted and
displaying the submenu items.

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3) Use theUP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until ONE POINT is highlighted.
4) Press the ENTER key to display the Digits Edit Box.
5) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.
6) Press the LEFT andRIGHT arrow keys to scroll the digit locations.
7) Repeat steps 5 & 6 until the known thickness value is correctly displayed.
8) Press the OK key to calculate the velocity and return to the menu screen, or
ESC to cancel entering the velocity.
9) Finally, press the MEAS key to return to the measurement screen and begin
taking readings.
Note: CHECK YOUR CALIBRATION! Place the transducer back on the
calibration point. The thickness reading should now match the known
thickness. If the thickness is incorrect, repeat the steps above.

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Basic Material Type
If the material velocity is unknown, and a sample thickness cannot be taken from the
material, the user may opt to choose a basic material type from a list with
approximate velocity numbers. It’s important to note that these velocities will not
always be an exact representation of the material being tested. Use these values
only if a close approximation is acceptable. Follow the steps below to select a basic
material type:
Selecting a Basic Material Type
1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the MENU
key multiple times to tab right and theESC key multiple times to tab left until
the CAL menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
2) Use theUP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until MATERIAL is highlighted.
3) Press the ENTER key to display the list of material types.
4) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the material list until
the appropriate material is highlighted.
5) Press the ENTER key to display the confirmation screen.
6) Press the OK key to select the material and return to the menu screen, or
ESC to cancel the material selection.
7) Finally, press the MEAS key to return to the measurement screen and begin
taking readings.

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2.3 Measure
The MMX-7is now ready to measure. There are two different measurement view
options, each with a specific purpose –Digits & B-Scan. The steps below outline
how to toggle between the different view mode options:
Selecting the Measurement View Option
1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the MENU
key multiple times to tab right and the ESC key multiple times to tab left until
the DISP menu is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
2) Use theUP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until VIEW is highlighted.
3) Use theLEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to scroll the view options.
4) Once the view is displayed, press theMEAS key to return to measurement
mode.
DIGITS: Displays the digital thickness value using a larger font size. This view is
useful when the MMX-7 is being used as a basic thickness gauge.
BSCAN: The Time Based B-Scan provides the user with a cross sectional view of
the material being tested. This mode is useful when there is concern regarding the
profile of the blind surface. This can also be a useful view when scanning for pits and
flaws.
Once the view has been selected according to the application requirements, the
delay andwidth of the screen will potentially need to be adjusted, if the view has

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been set toBSCAN. Use the following steps to adjust these settings directly from the
measurement screen as follows:
Adjusting the Start (B-ST) & Depth (B-DEP)
1) Press the MEAS key once to activate the measure menu items. Press the
MEAS key multiple times to move right and theESC key multiple times to
move left, until the either theB-ST or B-DEP cell is highlighted.
2) Use theUP, DOWN, LEFT, or RIGHT arrow keys to scroll theB-ST and B-
DEP values.
3) Repeat steps 1 & 2 until the range is correctly being displayed.
Alternatively, the B-ST andB-DEP values can be changed using the Digit Edit
Box as follows:
1) Press the MEAS key once to activate measure menu items. Press the
MEAS key multiple times to move right and theESC key multiple times to
move left, until the either theB-ST or B-DEP cell is highlighted.
2) Press the ENTER key to display the digits edit box.
3) Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll the highlighted value.

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4) Press the LEFT andRIGHT arrow keys to scroll the digit locations.
5) Repeat steps 3 & 4 until the B-ST or B-DEP value is correctly displayed.
6) Press the OK key to set the B-ST and B-DEP value and return to the
measure screen, or ESC to cancel entering theB-ST or B-DEP value.
7) Finally, press the MEAS key to return to the measurement screen and begin
taking readings.
Note: TheB-ST & B-DEP can also be adjusted from the menu tab items.
However, using the hot menu keys is the easiest method.
DIGITS B-SCAN
In the upper left corner of each of the mode photos above, is the repeatability
indicator. The repeatability indicator is represented by six vertical bars and
represents how repeatable the measurements are. In regular measurement mode,
the MMX-7makes 4 measurements a second. In scan mode, the MMX-7makes 32
measurements a second. When theMMX-7is idle, only the left vertical bar and the
underline will be displayed. However, when theMMX-7is making a measurement,
five or six of the bars should be displayed on the repeatability indicator. If fewer than
five bars are showing, the MMX-7is having difficulty achieving a stable measurement
and the thickness valuedisplayed is potentially be unstable.

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CHAPTER THREE
KEYBOARD, MENU, & CONNECTOR REFERENCE
3.1 Menu Key (Operation & Sub Menus )
The Menu key activates the primary menu structure containing 9 menu tab groups.
These tab groups then contain sub menu items, or functions. The sub menu items
have been organized in tab groups according to how closely they are related to the
individual tab group names. Let’s first get familiar with how to move around in these
tabs before continuing on to the sub menu functions. This procedure is outlined
below:
Activating and Getting Around in the Menu Items

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1) Press the MENU key once to activate the menu items tab. Press the MENU
key multiple times to tab right, and the ESC key multiple times to tab left
until the desired tab group is highlighted and displaying the submenu items.
Now that your familiar with activating and moving amongst the tab groups, let’s have
a look at how to move around in the sub menu items as follows:
Getting Around in the Sub Menu Items
1) Use theUP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through the sub menu items
until the desired function is highlighted.
2) Depending on which function is highlighted, use the LEFT, RIGHT, and
Enter keys to scroll the options or activate theDigit Edit and List Box
options.
The sections to follow will provide the user with an explanation of the sub menu
functions:
3.2 Probe –Menu
Zero: The MMX-7is zeroed in much the same way that a mechanical micrometer is
zeroed. If the MMX-7is not zeroed correctly, all of the measurements made using
the MMX-7may be in error by some fixed value. Refer to the section on page32, for
an explanation of this important procedure.
Type: Enables the user to select the type of transducer being used from a chart of
transducer types. This provides increased linearity between transducers. Refer to
page 28 for a further explanation.
Gain: Increases or decreases the overall amplitude of the signal. Much like turning
the volume up or down on a stereo receiver. Refer to page50 for further info.

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AGC: TheMMX-7is equipped with an automatic gain control when operating in
echo-echo mode only. This is much like turning the volume up or down on a stereo
receiver. However, the MMX-7will automatically control how much the volume is
turned up or down. Alternatively, the AGC can be manually controlled using the
same procedures as GAIN described above. Refer to page 50 for further info.
Measure Mode: Used to select the measurement mode for different application
requirements. The modes are P-E (pulse-echo) and E-E(echo-echo). Refer to page
22 for further info.
3.3 CAL –Menu
Units: Toggle between English or Metric units. The readout will change from inches
to millimeters.
Velocity: Function to calibrate the MMX-7 by setting the velocity to a known
material velocity. Refer to page34 for further info.
One Point: Performs a single point calibration. This option allows the user to
automatically calculate the velocity by entering a known sample thickness. Refer to
page 36 for further info.
Two Point: Performs a two-point calibration. This option allows the user to
automatically calculate the velocity by entering a second known sample thickness.
Refer to page37 for further info.
Material: Select the material velocity from a chart of basic material types, when a
known sample thickness, or material velocity cannot be obtained. Refer to page 40
for further info.
3.4 DISP (display) –Menu
View: Selectable BSCAN (cross section), and DIGITS (large digits) views. Refer to
page 42 for further info.
Backlight: Selectable OFF, ON, AUTO, or INVERT backlight option.
Contrast: Adjustable display contrast for variable light conditions.
B-ST: Provides the user the ability to change the start position of the B-SCAN view.
Refer to page 48 for further info.

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B-DEP: Provides the user the ability to change the overall depth of the viewable
measurement area. It functions a lot like a zoom on a camera. Refer to page 46 for
further info.
3.5 SETUP –Menu
Open: Displays a list of factory and user defined setups currently stored in memory.
These setups can be recalled and used at any time. Refer to page 75 for further info.
Save: Provides the user with the ability to save a custom setup that has been
modified or created by the user. Refer to page77 for further info.
Default Setup: Loads a basic default setup. Use only as a last resort when the
setups in theMMX-7have been corruptedand a computer is not accessible. Refer to
page 79 for further info.
Language: Provides the user the ability to select different languages for theMMX-7.
Refer to page79 for further info.
3.6 DATA –Menu
New: Allows the user the ability to create a new alpha numeric grid with custom
parameters, rows, and columns depending on their application reporting
requirements. Refer to page58 for further info.
Edit: Gives theuser the ability to change parameters of grid that have been
previously saved. Note: Pre-defined coordinates cannot be changed once they have
been created. Refer to page 70 for further info.
Open: This function provides the user with the ability to recall grids that currently
exist in memory from a list of grids. Refer to page 72 for further info.
Delete One Grid: This function provides the user with the ability to delete one
individual grid from a list of multiple grids previously saved in memory. Refer to page
68 for further info.
Delete All Grids: This function provides the user with the ability to delete all grids
currently stored in memory. Refer to page68 for further info.

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3.7 UTIL (utilities) –Menu
Scan Mode: This function enables a hi speed scan mode that increases the overall
sample rate from the standard 4 measurements a second to 32 measurements a
second. Refer to page 54 for further info.
Alarm Status: Toggles alarm mode on or off. Refer to page 55 for further info.
Alarm LO Limit: Gives the user the ability to set the LO limit parameter. If the
measurement falls below this value, a red light will illuminate and sound the internal
beeper. Refer to page 56 for further info.
Alarm HI Limit: Gives the user the ability to set the HI limit parameter. If the
measurement exceeds this value, a red light will illuminate and sound the internal
beeper. Refer to page 57 for further info.
3.8 XFER (transfer) –Menu
Backup Setups: Enables the user the ability to backup the setups currently stored
in theMMX-7to a PC via RS232 port. Refer the help section of the MMX-
7sonicview software for a complete electronic manual.
Restore Setups: Enables the user the ability to restore the setups currently saved
on a PC to an MMX-7via RS232 port. Refer the help section of the MMX-
7sonicview software for a complete electronic manual.
Backup Grid: Enables the user the ability to backup grids currently stored in the
MMX-7to a PC via RS232 port. Refer the help section of theMMX-7sonicview
software for a complete electronic manual.
Restore Grid: Enables the user the ability to restore grids currently saved on a PC
to an MMX-7via RS232 port. Refer the help section of the MMX-7sonicview
software for a complete electronic manual.
About: Provides the user with Dakota Ultrasonics contact information and the
MMX-7software version. Refer the help section of theMMX-7sonicview software
for a complete electronic manual.